Movie #36 - Atonement

Atonement

Universal Pictures
2007 - Rated R - 2 hr 3 min
Director: Joe Wright
Starring: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai

I'd never seen this movie before and I wasn't really sure what to expect from it. I'm 50/50 on the lead actors, typically scared of books-turned-film, and I also had no idea what this was about.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one, however. Enough to go and read the book, I think.

Keira Knightley didn't annoy me and I think I might actually be a James McAvoy fan now. These two were well suited to each other and you really believe their relationship is real. Add one meddling 13-year-old with strong (though false) convictions. And this would-be chick flick becomes a drama about life, betrayal, and how sad life can really be sometimes.

If you haven't seen this because you think it's all about love and sex, please just watch it. I applaud Ian McEwan for being so real you want to punch him in the face. We all have something we regret in life (none of us as badly as Briony, that meddling teen--I hope), but on some level, we can all relate to that deep down in your bones desire to make amends.

Movie #34 - As You Like It

As You Like It

BBC Films / HBO Films

2006 - Rated PG - 2 hr 7 min

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Alfred Molina, Kevin Kline, Romola Garai

Shakespeare remakes with a twist are usually fun, and this version from Kenneth Branagh doesn't disappoint. I love Bryce Dallas Howard (in this and in basically everything) and she is the perfect Rosalind. Having just seen this staged last summer, watching the film in its Japanese setting is an interesting experience. I always enjoy watching these classic, well-known lines of dialogue spoken in new settings.

As another one of Shakespeare's gender bending plays, As You Like It is filled with mistaken identities, confusion, and miscommunications. It's a comedy, so you don't have to watch everyone die at the end, and of course - there's a marriage (or a few) to make everyone happy. Enjoy :)